Ameteur Golf in India to get vital boost: Luthra

Pune, Sep 29 (UNI) The Amateur golf in the country stands to gain a vital boost following the long term planning being envisaged, opined Indian Golf Union (IGU) vice-president, Ashish Luthra.

While briefing reporters here today, Luthra, who is himself an avid golfer, minced no words to put amateur golf in proper prospective following a ten year programme being planned which will certainly cater to bring at least seventy youngsters to be on the international scenario every year.

Giving credence to his statement, Luthra said the IGU has sought the services of expert consultant Domnic Wall, who has been responsible for the development of amateur golf in the Chinese Tai Pei and Singapore, will formulate a ten year long term structural plan which will catapult the Indians to make their a mark in international events.

The IGU has also been making concerted efforts to introduce the inter-club and inter-state national championships for the amateurs in a big way.

The 30 to 55 Mid- Amateur National Championship which started four years back and the 55 and above national championship will be conducted at the regional level in future, Luthra explained.

The IGU has decided to have a tie up between the Indian National Golf Academy based in Chandigarh and the Professional Golf Tour India (PGTI) to train the trainers so that the coaching and training be imparted to the youngsters uninformly all over the country Mr pointed out.

The IGU secretary Wing Comdr. Aprajit Ghosh (Retd) who is also a keen golfer said that the twin championship assumes importance as it would be the basis to select the Indian team to take part in international tournaments.

A six member team will be finalised to take part in the Asia Pacific championship to be held in Malaysia from November 11 to 14.

While another four members squad will be selected in 50 and above section to represent the country in the Ravi Kirloskar trophy golf championship to be held in Lahore from November 15 to20.

The annula fixture is played between India and Pakistan on rotation basis every year, Ghosh elaborated.

The PCGC has been buzzing with hectic activity as 300 golfers including 120 from hosts city will be vying for honours in the twin championship. Some of the top noth amateurs in the fray are 1982 double gold medalist in the 1982 Asian Games held in Delhi Laxman Singh along with defending champion V T Date of Pune and national players like Ratan Bali and PCGC Golf captain Manish Jaitha will be matching their skills to earn a spot in the Indian teams Ghosh added.